Art Institute, Museum Of Science And Industry Pursue Rate Hikes

CHICAGO (CBS) — The Art Institute of Chicago would like to raise admission fees by as much as $5 and the Museum of Science and Industry would hike entry fees by as much as $3 in the coming weeks, under a proposal laid out in city documents.

Those living outside Illinois would see the biggest jump — of $5 — in admission to the Art Institute, with students and seniors paying $17 and adult admission going up to $23, according to the park district.

Children under 14 would continue to be admitted for free. But Chicago residents would see rates go up by $2 with seniors and students paying $12 and adults $18, according to the proposal. Illinois residents would see their rates go up by $2, too, to $14 for seniors and students and $20 for adults.

If approved, which is expected on Wednesday afternoon, the fee increase would kick in Feb. 1.

At the Museum of Science and Industry, general admission costs would go up the most, at $3, for adults and seniors living outside the city. Adults would pony up $18 and senior citizens would pay $17 under the proposal.

Children ages 3 to 11 would see admission go up $1 to $11.

For city residents, a $2 increase means Chicago seniors would be paying $14 and adults $15, under the planned hike.

Admission for children ages 3 to 11 would go up by $1, to $10. Any child under the age of 3 gets in free.